Solomon: Bryan Braman, one of the most fascinating Texans

Texans linebacker Bryan Braman and his mother Tina Braman-Fields endured some difficult times before his NFL career. (Nick de la Torre/Houston Chronicle)

In today’s column, I shared some background info on one of the more interesting Texans, and a personal favorite, Bryan Braman.

Already a fan favorite, my guess is the more you learn about him, the more you’ll pull for his success.

From his poor upbringing, to his struggles after high school, to running around like a madman at Reliant Stadium on Sunday’s, Braman’s story is fascinating.

And I didn’t even write about how he fell into modeling for a bit, his stints as a bouncer (think “Roadhouse”), or how almost all of his teeth have fallen out or been replaced.) I’d love to hear more about Braman’s late grandfather, Ivan Cecil Braman, a World Ward II veteran and the family rock, who was 7-4, 460.

Braman might be the unlikeliest of Texans, considering where he came from and his route to the NFL. If you think sometimes athletes don’t appreciate what they have, you should read Braman’s story.

“When he was a young kid, we always knew that Bryan’s heart was going to be able to take him places,” his mother Tina Braman-Fields said. “He’s so genuine. Had that go-getter personality, knew that he would do good. And be worthwhile. He’s a big kid, and big-hearted, who would help anybody.”

Braman half-joked that he must have been born to be a Bull on Parade. Even with the last name, sans the “h.”

“Bryan has a genuine, sensitive spirit within him that rocks,” said Anthony “JuJu” Predisik, a counselor at Shadle Park High School in Spokane. “We’re just on the edge of seeing great things from him.”

Braman is as genuine and real an athlete as you’ll come by. A regular guy. Well, a regular guy who happens to have a world-class combination of size speed and strength.

One glance at the bodies in the Texans locker room and it is obvious that Braman is different.

Tackle Andrew Gardner, who is 6-6, is the only Texans taller than the 6-foot-5 Braman, and of the tall Texans (Matt Schaub, Brandon Brooks, Ryan Harris, Derek Newton and J.J. Watt are all 6-5 too), there is no question who is the better athlete.

Braman has been special athlete as far back as anyone can remember. Bigger, faster, stronger. Braman was a star at every sport he tried. Immediately.

A dogged competitor, Braman was always the leader of the pack. One day Braman looked at the javelin and said, “Well, I think I can throw that.”

Next thing you know, he was throwing it 200 feet and had posted the longest throw in the state of Washington that year. He won medals at the state track meet in the javelin, long jump and high jump, where his personal best is 6-11 ¾, and competed in the 400-meter relay.

“I don’t know if I ever gave anybody a chance really,” Braman said. “I like winning and I always wanted to show everybody I was bigger, faster, stronger.”

He played almost the entire season of his freshman year with three broken fingers and still dominated. At Shadle Park, which produced one other NFL player (Mark Rypien), Braman’s athletic feats were legendary.

In a game against Gonzaga Prep, Braman dominated the line of scrimmage with three sacks and two batted down passes, plus added a special treat with a rousing 78-yard kickoff return.

Jason Jaso, his coach at Long Beach Community College, says Braman, who had 17 tackles in a game, but also won the javelin at the state track meet, is a “decathlete in waiting.”

“There’s not anything that he can’t do on the football field,” Jaso said. “He’s the one guy you got that could probably play every position. I’m serious. Nobody can do that, but I wouldn’t bet against Bryan.”

Jaso told me how college scouts were stunned by a play in which Braman blindsided a quarterback, but instead of going for the kill shot, he deftly swiped the ball from the QB’s hand, like a statue of liberty play, and raced in for a touchdown. The quarterback followed through, not even knowing that Braman has taken the ball. No one had seen such a play.

While at LBCC, though he wasn’t a primary return man, Braman picked up a couple of punts and averaged 31 yards a return. Remember, the guy is 6-foot-5. He blocked eight kicks there too.

I know Gary Kubiak isn’t big on trick plays, but I can see the Texans pulling something sweet on a kick return with Braman one of the days, ala Thomas “Hollywood” Henderson in Super Bowl X.

Even his teammates marvel at Braman’s build, strength and speed.

“I like to think of myself as a good athlete with a nice build, but Braman, he’s on another level,” Texans linebacker Whitney Mercilus said. “Man, he is fast, strong and has a lean body. He is special in what he does and there is nobody else like him on this team. He goes out there and puts his heart on the line.”

And appreciate all that he has gone through to make it to the NFL.

“We acknowledge that he’s a big, sturdy guy that can run like a horse, but I give him credit for overcoming the adversity that he faced in his personal life,” Connor Barwin said. “He could have given up on his dream of playing in the NFL but he didn’t.”

Patriots wide receiver Donte' Stallworth (19) dives over the goal line as he is tackled by Houston Texans defensive back Quintin Demps (27) for a touchdown during the second half.

Patriots wide receiver Donte' Stallworth (19) dives over the goal line as he is tackled by Houston Texans defensive back Quintin Demps (27) for a touchdown during the second half.

Photo: Brett Coomer / Houston Chronicle

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Texans outside linebacker Connor Barwin (98) sits on the bench during the fourth quarter of loss to the New England Patriots.

Texans outside linebacker Connor Barwin (98) sits on the bench during the fourth quarter of loss to the New England Patriots.

Photo: Brett Coomer / Houston Chronicle

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Houston Texans defensive end J.J. Watt (99) forces a fumble by New England Patriots running back Danny Woodhead (39) near the goal line during fourth quarter.

Houston Texans defensive end J.J. Watt (99) forces a fumble by New England Patriots running back Danny Woodhead (39) near the goal line during fourth quarter.

Photo: Nick de la Torre / Houston Chronicle

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Patriots wide receiver Brandon Lloyd (85) recovers a fumble by running back Danny Woodhead in the end zone for a touchdown as Texans outside linebacker Whitney Mercilus (59) looks on during the fourth quarter.

Patriots wide receiver Brandon Lloyd (85) recovers a fumble by running back Danny Woodhead in the end zone for a touchdown as Texans outside linebacker Whitney Mercilus (59) looks on during the fourth quarter.

Photo: Nick de la Torre / Houston Chronicle

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Texans outside linebacker Whitney Mercilus (59) reacts after Patriots wide receiver Brandon Lloyd (85) recovered a fumble by running back Danny Woodhead in the end zone for a touchdown.

Texans outside linebacker Whitney Mercilus (59) reacts after Patriots wide receiver Brandon Lloyd (85) recovered a fumble by running back Danny Woodhead in the end zone for a touchdown.

Photo: Nick de la Torre / Houston Chronicle

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Texans inside linebacker Brian Cushing sits on the sideline during fourth quarter of loss to the New England Patriots.

Texans inside linebacker Brian Cushing sits on the sideline during fourth quarter of loss to the New England Patriots.

Photo: Nick de la Torre / Houston Chronicle

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Texans running back Arian Foster (23) walks off the field following a loss to the New England Patriots.

Texans running back Arian Foster (23) walks off the field following a loss to the New England Patriots.

New England Patriots tight end Michael Hoomanawanui (47) celebrates with Brandon Lloyd as Houston Texans free safety Danieal Manning (38) looks on after Lloyd scored on a touchdown pass during the first quarter. less

New England Patriots tight end Michael Hoomanawanui (47) celebrates with Brandon Lloyd as Houston Texans free safety Danieal Manning (38) looks on after Lloyd scored on a touchdown pass during the first ... more

Photo: Brett Coomer / Houston Chronicle

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Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) gets off a pass as Texans defensive end J.J. Watt (99) applies pressure during the second quarter.

Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) gets off a pass as Texans defensive end J.J. Watt (99) applies pressure during the second quarter.

Photo: Brett Coomer / Houston Chronicle

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Texans quarterback Matt Schaub (8) confers with head coach Gary Kubiak during the second quarter.

Texans quarterback Matt Schaub (8) confers with head coach Gary Kubiak during the second quarter.

Texans running back Arian Foster (23) runs against the New England Patriots defense during the first quarter.

Texans running back Arian Foster (23) runs against the New England Patriots defense during the first quarter.

Photo: Nick de la Torre / Houston Chronicle

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Texans wide receiver Andre Johnson warms up before a Monday Night Football game against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium.

Texans wide receiver Andre Johnson warms up before a Monday Night Football game against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium.

Photo: Brett Coomer / Houston Chronicle

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Texans owner Bob McNair, left, waves as he walks of the field with his wife, Janice.

Texans owner Bob McNair, left, waves as he walks of the field with his wife, Janice.

Photo: Brett Coomer / Houston Chronicle

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Houston Texans fans cheer as their team warms up before the game.

Houston Texans fans cheer as their team warms up before the game.

Photo: Brett Coomer / Houston Chronicle

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Texans defensive backs coach Vance Joseph, left, works with cornerback Johnathan Joseph before a Monday Night Football game against the New England Patriots.

Texans defensive backs coach Vance Joseph, left, works with cornerback Johnathan Joseph before a Monday Night Football game against the New England Patriots.

Photo: Brett Coomer / Houston Chronicle

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Texans outside linebacker Whitney Mercilus walks along the back of the end zone as rain falls before the Texans game against the New England Patriots in a Monday Night Football game at Gillette Stadium on Monday, Oct. 8, 2012, in Foxborough, Mass. less

Texans outside linebacker Whitney Mercilus walks along the back of the end zone as rain falls before the Texans game against the New England Patriots in a Monday Night Football game at Gillette Stadium on ... more

Photo: Brett Coomer / Houston Chronicle

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Texans general manager Rick Smith watches warm ups before a the game.

Texans general manager Rick Smith watches warm ups before a the game.

Photo: Brett Coomer / Houston Chronicle

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Texans fans bundle up before the a Monday Night Football game at Gillette Stadium.

Texans fans bundle up before the a Monday Night Football game at Gillette Stadium.

Photo: Brett Coomer / Houston Chronicle

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Houston Texans defensive end Antonio Smith warms up before a Monday Night Football game against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium.

Houston Texans defensive end Antonio Smith warms up before a Monday Night Football game against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium.

Photo: Houston Chronicle

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Texans wide receiver Andre Johnson catches a football during warm-ups before a Monday Night Football game against the New England Patriots.

Texans wide receiver Andre Johnson catches a football during warm-ups before a Monday Night Football game against the New England Patriots.

Photo: Brett Coomer / Houston Chronicle

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Houston Texans defensive end J.J. Watt before a Monday Night Football game against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium.

Houston Texans defensive end J.J. Watt before a Monday Night Football game against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium.